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Weightlifting for Teenagers
Teenagers
and Weightlifting
Disclaimer:
Weightlifting for teenagers can be a controversial subject. If you are
a teenager under the age of 18, please ask your doctor and legal
guardian about your choice to lift weights! All of the information on
this page is for informational purposes only.
The teenage years are a great time to start weightlifting. It's
actually the absolute best
time to start! Weightlifting
for teenagers is not going to be much different than
weightlifting for a person in their 20's, 30's, or 40's.
Teenagers will still use the same techniques for building muscle that
any other person would use. Teenagers and weightlifting go great
together because of the chemical advanatge teenagers have at their
ages. Raging hormones lead to a much greater muscle building
environment!
Lifting weights as a teenager can be compared to a person in their 40's
lifting weights and taking super supplements (steroids). That's how big
an advantage you have when weight lifting as a teenager.
Weightlifting Guidelines for
Teenagers
You will want to follow all the muscle building principles included in
the WLC
Program. I will go over these principles quickly as an
overview.
Rule #1: Weightlifting is for
Building Muscle
As I've said before, weightlifting for teenagers should always focus on
building muscle. Lift weights to build muscle. Do not lift weights to
lose fat. Use diet and cardio for fat loss along with weight lifting.
When you step in the gym to lift weights, your focus will
always be on building muscle!
Do not simply lift weights to burn calories. Building muscle alone will
burn more calories than you giving a weak effort in the gym just to
burn calories. The more muscle you build, the more calories your body
will burn. So, focus on building muscle. Use diet and cardio for fat
burning purposes. Put forth your greatest effort to get stronger in the
gym!
Rule #2: Focus on Getting
Stronger to Build Muscle
To build muscle, you have to focus on getting stronger on each and
every exercise. Choose the best compound exercises, and focus on
getting stronger on those exercises. Do not waste your time with all of
those isolation exercises. As a teenager, you want to build a strong
base. Compound exercises will build you that base.
Follow the outline of the WLC Program for Beginners. Choose your
exercises as shown in the Beginner
WLC Program. Then focus on adding weight to the bar or
dumbbells each workout. When you can no longer add weight to the bar,
which should take you several months or longer, follow the rules of the
WLC Program. The WLC Program has you decrease reps over time so you can
continue to lift more weight over time!
Rule #3: Diet is Very Important!
You must have a calorie surplus to gain weight and build more muscle.
If you are trying to get bigger, focus on gaining a pound to two pounds
per week. If you are trying to lose weight because your doctor told you
that you're overweight, focus on losing around a pound or two per week.
Weigh yourself once per week under the same conditions (morning after
waking up), and either increase your food intake to gain weight or
decrease your food intake to lose weight. Monitor your body weight each
week and adjust the amount of food you eat accordingly.
Eat a nutritious diet high in protein, fruits, and especially
vegetables. Protein should be your number one priority along with water
intake. Fruits and vegetables are very important for building muscle
because they contain nutritents your body needs to build muscle! Never
eat junk food when trying to gain weight.
Lifetime Benefits of
Weightlifting for Teenagers
The teenage years are the best time for someone to start weightlifting.
Building muscle will make you stronger for the rest of your life.
Eating a diet packed full of nutritious foods and doing your
cardiovascular exercise will lead to decreased body fat. Weightlifting,
Diet, and Cardio all lead to a very healthy lifestyle.
Developing this healthy lifestlye at an early age will lead to a longer
and healthier life. You'll be much more active because you'll feel
great about yourself. You'll have more confidence in school and an even
greater confidence when you interview for your first big job!
Weightlifting really does benefit everyone more than you believe! Self
confidence is a powerful thing to have. Being strong and looking great
makes you feel great. Live a long life with a healthy lifestyle! Set an
example for your friends and family.
Share this page with
your friends and family. Help them out!
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started 9/8/08
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